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The England manager made it clear that he has believes his squad will silence their critics by beating Montenegro, and then Poland at Wembley on Tuesday, to book a place at next summer’s finals.

Hodgson said: “We are England. We are one of the big nations and we’re expected to qualify for World Cups and European Championships.

“We all realise that England expects. They expect us to play well in these two games, win them and reach the World Cup. That’s what we’re going to be doing our level best to do.

“I believe in the players, I trust the players.

“We’ve played some big games outside this qualifying group: Norway, Italy, Belgium, Sweden. I’ve seen the players step up to the plate and do well.

“I know how determined the players are to do the job, making certain we step out and perform, deliver. I have every reason to trust and believe them. In the time I’ve worked with them, they’ve never given me reason to doubt.

“There will be lots of good teams that don’t get there [to Brazil] but I am convinced that it won’t be us. We know there’s been some criticism and doubt in qualifying but we’re out to prove that wrong.

“Within the camp we are convinced we are a good team, we are convinced that we are good enough to qualify and with two home games left we are convinced that we are going to do the job.

Hodgson dropped hints that he will use Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge up front and go for the jugular. But he also made it clear that he will look to experienced players.

Steven Gerrard will captain the team, with James Milner and Danny Welbeck also hoping to start.

“As a coach, you depend very much upon your senior players - you depend on those who have been there and have been under pressure for years," added Hodgson. "They know what it is like to bear that responsibility.”

England will win Group H if they beat both Montenegro and Poland - and will be certain of at least a play-off spot with victory against Montenegro on Friday. Defeating Montenegro could also be enough - barring an infeasibly heavy home defeat in the final game - if Poland win in Ukraine, also on Friday.

However, a draw with Montenegro and a Ukraine victory over their Euro 2012 co-hosts would leave England requiring three points against the Poles for second place.

Two points or worse from the two games and England would be nailed on to miss out altogether on World Cup 2014.